Cleaning Assistant Recruitment Pack November 2017
November 2017 Dear Prospective Candidate Re: Cleaning Assistant Thank you for your interest in the position of Cleaning Assistant at Kent Union. We are a successful, vibrant and exciting organisation with a bright future ahead of us. We have achieved a great deal in the last few years, more than doubling in size to our current £11million turnover, 500 employees and 2,000+ volunteers. Kent Union is a great place to work. We were re-accredited with Investor in People Gold status in December 2013, and were accredited with Leaders in Diversity in 2013; we were the first students union in the UK to achieve Investing in Volunteers status and have been included in the Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For, for 8 years, placed 24th for 2017. The post-holder will be working within the Facilities Department, which currently consists of a Head of Facilities, Cleaning Supervisor, 5 Cleaning Assistants and a Maintenance Supervisor. The overall objective of the Cleaning Department is to ensure all areas of Kent Union are consistently cleaned to a high standard and in line with cleaning specifications and the Cleaning Service Standards, focussing heavily on providing a quality service. Kent Union’s outlets consist of: a café, a shop, a nursery, and 2 office buildings. This pack should provide everything you need to support your application, it contains:
Job description Person specification Copy of full advert Summary conditions of appointment Summary governance and management arrangements Application and selection process and timetable
If you require further information, please contact Helen Close, Head of Facilities on 01227 824254 or email
[email protected] I do hope you decide to apply for this position. Yours faithfully,
Helen Close Head of Facilities
Job Description – Cleaning Assistant Department: Facilities Reports to: Cleaning Supervisor Role Purpose: The post-holder will assist in delivering an efficient operation of cleaning services and will provide quality cleaning within Kent Union’s premises and will ensure an ongoing quality standard of service provision.
Duties and Responsibilities Financial Responsibilities: 1. To be responsible for the security of all resources including stock and cash, and to follow all Kent Union’s financial procedures. 2. To open up and be a key holder for Kent Union buildings, de-activate and activate alarm systems as required, ensuring security procedures are followed at all times. Operational Duties
1.To ensure that all areas of Kent Union are consistently cleaned and tidied to a high standard and in line with cleaning specifications. 2.To ensure the health and safety of staff, customers and suppliers, in line with the Union’s Health and Safety Policy. 3.To ensure proper use of Kent Union’s cleaning equipment and report any issues pertaining to staffing, stock or equipment to the Cleaning Supervisor 4.To ensure excellence in customer service, making sure that customers’ expectations are exceeded whenever possible 5.To empty waste bins or similar receptacles, transporting waste material to designated collected points; sweep/hoover mop floors using the necessary cleaning equipment; use electrically powered scrubbing/polishing machines to burnish, scrub, polish and spray clean floors (after receiving proper instruction and training); dust, damp wipe, wash or polish the furniture, ledges, window sills, external surfaces of cupboards, radiators, shelves and fitments; replenish consumable items (soap, toilet rolls) if required; clean toilets, urinals, hand basins and sinks; use chemical agents as directed by the Cleaning Supervisor in the discharge of cleaning operations of maintenance procedures (after receiving proper instruction and training). 6.Carry out other duties and activities as reasonable by required to support colleagues in achieving Kent Union’s Plan. Expected Behaviours 1.To attend training sessions, and appropriate meetings as and when required by Kent Union 2.To contribute to the positive image of Kent Union with students, University and the local community 3.To demonstrate understanding of the organisation’s democratic structures 4.To ensure all systems to reduce Kent Unions’ impact on the environment are adhered to 5.To act as an ambassador for Kent Union and show loyalty to the organisation, abiding by the Union’s Constitution, policies and procedures at all times 6.To undertake other tasks and responsibilities compatible with the level and nature of the post as required by your manager from time to time This job description does not form part of the contract of employment.
Person Specification Cleaning Assistant Essential requirements should be demonstrated before appointment and maintained in post. Desirable elements should be developed and maintained once in post as needed Qualifications
Essential
First Aid/Health & Safety Qualification
Desirable
Tested at Interview
X
Tested at application
X
Experience A record of delivering exceptional cleaning standards
X
X
X
Demonstrable experience of providing the highest standard of customer service and effectively solve customer problems
X
X
X
Experience of working within a busy cleaning operation
X
X
X
Knowledge A good understanding/knowledge of best practice in cleaning
X
X
X
A working knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and best practice, in particular to manual handling and COSHH
X
X
X
Sound judgement and ability to handle competing priorities and a challenging workload in a pressurised environment
X
X
X
Ability to operate effectively in a complex environment, with the political skills and acumen to develop productive relationships with a range of people
X
X
X
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to relate to and communicate effectively with people at all levels Values & Behaviors
X
X
X
Evidence of a personal commitment to continuing professional development
X
X
A commitment to equality of opportunity; someone who builds a culture of inclusivity and removes barriers to diversity
X
X
A team player, who helps others build a successful team, celebrates others’ success and supports others to achieve individual and team goals
X
X
A strong commitment to working in a democratic and membership organisation, with the ability to empower and build constructive relationships with elected officers
X
X
Skills and Abilities
Cleaning Assistant Annual Salary £7,739 (£14,690 full-time equivalent) 25 hours per week, 33 weeks per year during term time 4:30am to 9:30am Monday to Friday Or 5:00pm to 10:00pm Monday to Friday Generous pension and benefits 37 days annual leave Thank you for your interest in the position of Cleaning Assistant at Kent Union. We are a successful, vibrant and exciting organisation with a bright future ahead of us. We have achieved a great deal in the last few years, more than doubling in size to our current £11million turnover, 500 employees and 2,000+ volunteers. Kent Union is a great place to work. We were re-accredited with Investor in People Gold status in December 2013, and were accredited with Leaders in Diversity in 2013; we were the first students union in the UK to achieve Investing in Volunteers status and have been included in the Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For, for 8 years, placed 24th for 2017. The post-holder will be working within the Facilities Department, which currently consists of a Head of Facilities, Cleaning Supervisor, 5 Cleaning Assistants and a Maintenance Supervisor. The overall objective of the Cleaning Department is to ensure all areas of Kent Union are consistently cleaned to a high standard and in line with cleaning specifications and the Cleaning Service Standards, focussing heavily on providing a quality service. Kent Union’s outlets consist of: a café, a shop, a nursery, and 2 office buildings. The post-holder will assist in delivering an efficient and quality cleaning service within Kent Union’s premises. The post-holder will be highly motivated, flexible and resourceful individual and will have good interpersonal skills, coupled with the ability to prioritise their work load. The post requires a large amount of manual lifting and operating equipment. This role is a great opportunity for a diligent and helpful individual, who enjoys working in a team. For an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact our Helen Close, Head of Facilities on 01227 824254. For an application pack, please visit http://www.kentunion.co.uk/careers. Closing date for applications is:
Monday 4 December 2017
Interviews will be held on:
Tuesday 12 December 2017
Summary Conditions of Appointment Salary This post is at Grade 1.2 of Kent Union’s pay scale with a starting salary of £7,739 per anum (pro rata, £14,690 full-time equivalent). Staff normally move up one incremental point annually, subject to performance.
Notice Period The notice period for this position is one-month.
Annual Leave Entitlement The post-holder is entitled to 23 days’ leave; 6 ‘customary’ days’ leave, normally taken over Christmas; and the 8 statutory leave days for England.
Pension The post-holder is entitled to join the Superannuation Arrangements of the University of London (SAUL), CARE pension scheme with salary sacrifice, in which Kent Union contributes 16% and employees contribute 6% of salary. Alternatively, the post-holder can join a personal pension scheme through Scottish Equitable, in which Kent Union contributes 6% and employees contribute 3% of salary.
Hours of Work 25 hours a week, the shift pattern for this post is working: Monday to Friday 4:30am to 9:30am or Monday to Friday 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Work-Life Balance Kent Union is committed to facilitating a healthy work-life balance and has cutting edge flexible working policies, including extensive maternity, paternity and grand-parent leave; generous adoption and parental leave entitlement; facilities for sabbatical leave; the option to work from home on occasion and time off for volunteering.
Equality of Opportunity Kent Union is committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and will endeavour to meet the needs of any candidate who fulfils the requirements of the person specification.
Summary Governance and Management Arrangements Why we’re here - our mission We are a charity that supports students at the University of Kent; we: 1.
Stand up for students
2.
Help them have the best time at Kent
3.
Prepare them for life after Kent
Why we do it - our beliefs We believe every student at the University of Kent should have the opportunity to try out new experiences, have fun, make new friends and be part of a community; we believe every student should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential in life, have a voice in society and make a difference. We believe that Kent Union is integral to empowering students to realise this belief.
Where we’re going - our vision Our Vision is for students at Kent to have one of the best student experiences on the planet, to be the best students’ union in Europe and to be a world class employer in the Not-for-Profit Sector; we know this is ambitious, but our strategic plan, our culture, our values and our mission will help us achieve our vision.
How we’re perceived - our values
Bold – we are brave and courageous; we stand up for students’ rights; we are innovative and we challenge the status quo Inclusive - we welcome all people and appreciate their uniqueness; we are champions of equality and diversity Supportive – we look out for people; we want students to succeed in life so we offer transformative experiences for them to get involved in; we ensure our staff have a healthy work-life balance
Legal Status Kent Union is an unincorporated association and a registered charity. The Union has a Board of Trustees, which is legally responsible for all aspects of the organisation.
Democratic Structures Kent Union is a membership organisation; all students at the University of Kent are automatically members of Kent Union. The membership provide strategic and political direction through the Union’s democratic structures, including petition and feedback mechanisms, all student votes, referenda, the Annual General Meeting, a Campaigns Forum, Executive Committee and seven elected Trustees.
The Trustees
The Trustees of Kent Union are the five ‘sabbatical officers’, four ‘external’ trustees and four ‘student’ trustees. The sabbatical officers and two of the student trustees are elected each year by and from the student membership of Kent Union. The sabbatical officers take a year out of their studies (or immediately after graduating) to serve as a trustee; they can stand for re-election for a second year if they choose, but can serve for no more than two years. Unlike the trustees of most registered charities, the sabbatical officers are paid a living allowance and work a normal working week. The four student trustees have all the responsibilities of being a trustee, but are still studying and fulfil their duties on a ‘part-time’ and voluntary basis. Two of the four student trustees are elected by cross-campus ballot and take office on 1st July each year; the other two student trustees are selected via a recruitment process in the October of each year.
Staff and Management Structure Kent Union employs approximately 500 staff to provide services for its members. Staff are of two types – approximately 360 student staff, who work whilst completing their studies at the University of Kent; and approximately 140 career staff – professionals who have made working at Kent Union part of their career. The Board of Trustees oversees the work of staff through the Chief Executive and Director Group, who in turn manage staff through the 15 senior managers, each of whom is responsible for one of the Union’s Departments or a strategic function.
Application and Selection Process and Timetable Recruitment and Selection Timetable Monday 13 November
Advertise position
Monday 4 December
Applications close
Tuesday 12 December
Interviews in Canterbury
Applications To apply please download and complete an application form from our recruitment website http://www.kentunion.co.uk/careers and email it, along with the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form to
[email protected]; please ensure that you pay particular attention in your application to detailing how you meet the requirements of the person specification. The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be separated from applications prior to short-listing. Completed applications must be received by 4 December. Website Kent Union’s website contains further background information about Kent Union to help potential applicants. Potential applicants are encouraged to look at the website prior to applying; the website address is www.kentunion.co.uk Further Information and Questions For an informal conversation, further information or any questions about this opportunity, please contact our Helen Close, Head of Facilities, 01227 824254.
